How the work is structured
Consulting is not a single product. The right engagement model depends on what you are building, how mature your in-house capability is, and what you want to own at the end. We work in three engagement models — each with its own logic, deliverables, and trajectory.
Model 1 — External fundraising function
Best fit: when the goal is funding, fast.
We become your external fundraising function. Our team does the work; you receive the proposals, donor relations, and reporting.
Typical scope: - Donor and opportunity monitoring - Proposal development (concept → full submission → defence) - Consortium-building for EU, USAID, GIZ, EBRD instruments - Donor communication and submission management - Post-award reporting and compliance
Engagement length: 3 months minimum, typically 12-24 months on retainer.
Outcomes you keep: funded proposals, donor relationships, reporting infrastructure.
What stays with us: the institutional fundraising function.
Model 2 — Build the function inside your team
Best fit: when the goal is to build your own fundraising function over 6-12 months.
We co-deliver fundraising with your team while transferring the function to them. By the end of the engagement, your in-house team operates independently.
The transition curve:
| Phase | Months | What this service builds | What your team does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 — Set up the system | 1-3 | We design the workflow, run the first proposals end-to-end, set up tools and processes | Observes, contributes context, learns by participation |
| Phase 2 — Parallel work | 3-9 | We co-lead with progressive handover. We supervise; they execute | Leads on selected proposals with our support |
| Phase 3 — Supervised independence | 9-12 | We supervise, review, and coach | Runs the function; we are quality control |
Outcomes you keep: an operational fundraising function, trained team, documented processes, donor relationships.
What stays with us: advisory access if you want a continuing engagement.
Reach out about Capability Building →
Model 3 — Coach an existing team on live opportunities
Best fit: when you already have a fundraising team and want to upskill through coaching, not outsource.
You have at least three people in fundraising roles, motivation, and basic skills. We coach, supervise, review, and develop them through real engagements on your real opportunities.
What we provide: - Weekly supervision and case review - Real-time coaching on live proposals - Strategic direction on donor portfolio - Quality gate before submission - Skills development sessions
Minimum requirement on your side: three people in fundraising roles. Experience can be entry-level if motivation and dedication are there.
Outcomes you keep: a stronger, faster, more strategic in-house team.
Reach out about Supervised Practice →
How models vary by service line
Not every service uses three models. Each service line has the model that fits its logic.
| Service line | Engagement models |
|---|---|
| Funding & Fundraising | All three: FaaS, Capability Building, Supervised Practice |
| Strategy & Growth | Brief → strategic session → co-authored strategic and operational plans |
| Strategic Foresight | Pre-work → foresight day(s) → synthesis → integration into strategy |
| Sustainability & Impact (ESG strategy) | Strategic session + co-authored documentation, with optional Foresight pre-phase |
| Capacity Building | Long-form engagement (6-12 months): assessment → policy and process design → co-implementation → coaching |
| Evaluation & Research | Full outsource only — independence is non-negotiable for the donor |
| Learning & Development | Standalone product (open courses, corporate programmes, hybrid formats) |
The first artefact is a brief
A short discovery call — typically 30 minutes — and a written brief: a one-page document we co-write to align on objectives, scope, decision-makers, deliverables, and success criteria.
The brief is the foundation. It is the basis for the engagement letter, the workplan, and the end-of-project review.
Questions before choosing a model
Can we mix models?
Yes. The most common combination is FaaS for the first 3 months while we set up the system, then a transition to Capability Building.
Do you sign engagement letters or full contracts?
Both. Light engagements use an engagement letter; longer or higher-stakes work uses a full master service agreement with statements of work per phase.
What about confidentiality?
NDA is signed before any commercially sensitive material is shared.
Who owns the deliverables?
The client, in all engagement models. Our methodology and tools remain ours.
Do you guarantee outcomes?
We guarantee the process — that we will work to the standards of PMD Pro, GRI, OECD-DAC, and our own quality gates. We do not guarantee external decisions (donor approvals, investor reactions, regulatory rulings) that are outside our control.
Next step
Not sure which engagement model fits? That’s the point of a discovery call.